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New York Jets: Early starting lineup projections 2018, defense

By Stephen Smith

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Jordan Jenkins #48 of the New York Jets celebrates his sack of Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills with teammate Demario Davis #56 of the Jets during the second half of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Jordan Jenkins #48 of the New York Jets celebrates his sack of Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills with teammate Demario Davis #56 of the Jets during the second half of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

Jordan Jenkins, Josh Martin (OLB)
Avery Williamson, Darron Lee (ILB)

Jenkins is a lock to start at outside linebacker if healthy entering the season. The Georgia product recorded 46 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries in his second NFL campaign last year. The Jets would like to see him get to the quarterback more often but his arrow appears to be heading up.

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Martin is the leader at this point in time for the other starting outside linebacker slot but he is not a lock. He started just nine contests in 2017 and finished with only 31 tackles. Martin will be getting stiff competition from David Bass, who took first-team reps during recent OTAs. Bass started in only two games last year but recorded 3.5 sacks. He has upside. Lorenzo Mauldin (back) can also be a factor if he can ever stay healthy. That’s a huge if. He might not even be ready to go by training camp.

Williamson was signed as a free agent from Tennessee in March to replace Demario Davis. The 26-year old inside linebacker paced the Titans in tackles during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He was second last year, but that was because his playing time was reduced to 60 percent of their snaps. Williamson was on the field for 83 percent of Tennessee’s snaps in 2016.

Why the difference? Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau did not want to use him in most passing situations. That won’t be the case this coming season. Williamson has the athleticism and desire to prove that he is a three-down LB.

Lee finished second to Davis in tackles for Gang Green last year with 94 (67 solo). A first-round draft pick (20th overall) in 2016, the Ohio State product has been somewhat of a disappointment so far. However, Lee showed some progress last year. He added three sacks and two forced fumbles and was even calling some defensive signals during New York’s recently completed mandatory minicamp. Keep an eye out for Kevin Pierre-Louis and Kevin Minter. Both could be used in sub package scenarios.

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